Edgartown Yacht Club's 'Round-the-Island Race shifts to July

Edgartown Race Weekend has moved from June to July for its 89th running. It starts and finishes on Saturday July 25, 2026 © Stephen R Cloutier

Edgartown Yacht Club's 'Round-the-Island Race ('RTI) will return to its traditional July date in 2026, a move welcomed by competitors seeking more consistent breeze and midseason race readiness.

One of yacht racing's longest-running distance events, the 'RTI will sail its 89th running on Saturday, July 25, after four years in a June slot.

"Historically, this was a very different race," said Event Co-Chair Cindy Alten-Delotto. "In earlier decades there was no time limit, the start and finish were inside Edgartown's Outer Harbor, which made it some 20 miles longer, and boats sometimes finished well after dark. The race has evolved significantly, and July now best supports how teams prepare and compete today."

The modern 'RTI is a 55-mile circumnavigation of Martha's Vineyard, starting and finishing outside Edgartown Harbor. The course is designed to emphasize boat speed, tactical decision making, and time-on-distance performance, with a defined time limit and provisions for course shortening if conditions warrant. The start is scheduled for 0800, with most of the fleet expected to finish by late Saturday afternoon or early evening.

July typically delivers stronger and more reliable wind patterns than June, sharpening the race's defining challenge: managing tide gates and current relief along the shoreline as well as transitions between Vineyard Sound, Nantucket Sound, and the open Atlantic. Crews must balance sail selection, timing, and positioning as they navigate headlands, shoals, and acceleration zones around the island.

"By July, boats are dialed in, crews are practiced, and programs are running smoothly," Alten-Delotto said. "That makes for closer racing, fewer compromises, and a better test of skill across the fleet."

'RTI racing divisions include PHRF Spinnaker, PHRF Non-Spinnaker, PHRF Doublehanded, and Multihull, attracting a diverse lineup ranging from fully crewed offshore-style programs to short-handed teams. The event's top prize, the Venona Trophy, has been awarded since the race's founding in 1938, underscoring the 'RTI's deep competitive pedigree.

Service Academy sailing teams continue to receive free entry, and complimentary moorings are available to the first 50 paid entries. Edgartown Yacht Club provides logistical support to help visiting teams set up their stays on the Island, and social events include a Welcome Party on Friday, July 24 and Awards on Sunday, July 26.

Registration fees are $500 through June 12, $600 through July 3, and $700 through July 17, with a full refund policy in place through July 17.

Additional information, including the Notice of Race, is available at www.RTIrace.org, or by contacting Margaret Passafiume at or (508) 627-4364 x18.